​On 22 September 2016, Indonesia participated in the International Conference on Sustainable Development (IC-SD) at Columbia University in the City of New York.

The aim of the conference is to identify and share practical, evidence-based solutions that can support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year’s conference theme is Moving Forward: The SDGs in Practice. The ICSD provides a unique opportunity to bring together stakeholders from government, academia, the United Nations, international agencies, NGOs, and grassroots organizers to share practical solutions towards the achievement of more sustainable and inclusive societies.

The Office of the President's Special Envoy for Climate Change organized an Indonesia Panel titled “Climate Actions and Sustainable Development Goals at the Local Level in Indonesia.”

The objective of the panel was to convey Indonesia’s vision of sustainable development and climate change actions to the international communities.

Rachmat Witoelar, President's Special Envoy for Climate Change Control, said that Indonesia is now in the process of moving towards low-carbon development. The impact of climate change is already affecting many sectors in Indonesia, among others, food security, disaster, and health. Hence, Indonesia must integrate climate change actions into its mid-term and long-term development plan.

Representatives from the private sector stated that investing in environmentally friendly business and low-carbon future is quite interesting and has profit potential. There are companies in Indonesia who have taken real action in the implementation of landscape management, for example with palm sugar and biodiesel from palm oil.

In addition, representatives of academia also expressed the importance of local research center run by universities or NGOs to encourage innovation and advance technology in climate change action.

As we know, in 2015 the world has two agreements that have become a strong basis for sustainable development. The first is the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the second is the Paris Agreement Treaty of Paris that sets climate change actions by the countries in the world. Indonesia as a country that is active in international climate change negotiations, has expressed its national commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 29% based on Business as Usual in 2030, and 41% with international cooperation.

Dr. Nurmala Kartini Sjahrir, Senior Advisor for Climate Change to the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs, chaired the Indonesia Panel, held at the Faculty House of Columbia University.

The following are speakers featured in the Indonesia Panel, along with their abstracts and slides presented:

More than 1000 people attended the International Conference on Sustainable Development 2016, coming from many countries all over the world and representing professionals from the private sector, academia, government, and civil society, along with students from the world’s top universities.